Merc Black Max outboards

[Tony P]

Im looking a 1988 Whats the scoop on theese things the good, the bad, the ugly??

Im and I/O guy..dont really know anything about outboards so any advise would be greatly appriciated.

[Reese]

1988 black max is probably the 2.4....but that really doesn't matter. What does matter is what kind of boat are you interested in, bass boat, lake boat, open bow, and....how long....how heavy....what type of use? Today, there are many, many choices...it all depends on what you plan on hanging it on. I suggest you figure out the type of boat first and then plan on engine selection.

[Tony P]

its on a 17 ft Image Cat im guessing close to a thousand pounds.

[qmaster023]

If it is a 2.4 I have had very good success with them. I run one on a sport performance boat and they have always stayed together for me. Be careful that motor might have a lot of time on it by now. rings do wear out.

[michaelcaine]

hi i have one of these and its fitted with an xr2 cowling with mercury stickers like the one in your photo,could this be a lightweight racing cowl or just one robbed of another outboard,it also only fits the power head as the small lower section above the leg is uncovered.
thanks in advance,
jamie. uk

[michaelcaine]

please see this for photo.Need pics of Bridgport Cowl sticker orentation (http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89823)

[cm21]

Had an '86 200hp 2.4 Black Max, slightly modified before I bought it. Spun the thing to 6900 RPM's all day for several years and never had a problem...finally sold it with a overheating problem, but this thing was trouble free at high RPM's for a long long time...

[Tony P]

How many Cylinders are in the powerhead of theese? Anyone have a ballpark cost on a powerhead rebuild?

[pyro]

V-6.

As far as I know, Mercury has used the term "Black Max" rather loosely over the years to refer to most of its V6 motors.